Cleves

Cleves (in German Kleve, sometimes used in English as well) is a city in the north-west of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, near the dutch border and the river Rhine, at 51° 47' North 6° 11' East. Population: 49,398 (2002), Area 97.72 km². It belongs to and is capital of the district Cleves.

The name Cleves derives from the word cliff (german Kliff), as on a steep hill the Schwanenburg was founded, and where the dukes of Cleve did reside. Medieval Cleves did grow together from four parts - the castle Schwanenburg, the village below the castle, the first city of Cleves on the Heideberg hill, and the Neustadt from the 14th century. In 1242 the city received the city rights. The duchy Cleves was united with the duchy Mark from 1368, until it became extinct in 1609.

See also:

• Anne of Cleves, queen consort of Henry VIII of England

External link

• City of Kleve - Official city website